Organized- The parts of the organism have to be able to communicate and talk to each other in order for the separate parts of the organism can communicate what they have an excess of and what they need

Made of cells- All organisms are made of cells

Reproduce- In order for a species to continue living it has to be able to create more of the species

Use of energy- The organism have to be able to take energy

Adapt to environment- If there is a long term drought the members of the species that could survive with less water would survive better therefore being able to produce healthier kin.

respond to Stimuli- If something is hurting the organism it has to be able to respond by running away.

Maintain Homeostasis- The organism has to be kept at a constant so the organs and muscles and other parts can work at maximum efficiency

Grow and Develop- An organism has to be able to grow and learn to be able to survive.

Otters like all living things have to eat and take in energy for their body to work. Most of this energy gets stored and turned into fat which will be used later and the energy that is not stored helps the otter's heart beat and make certain that it's muscles still work. A notable scientist researching energy and food chains is Andrew Solway who has written a paper focusing on their diets and what kind of food they eat.

In the late 90s early 2000s the otter population was dwindling at an alarming rate due to pollution and destruction of their habitats due to humans. As the graph above illustrates the fewer pups born in a year the smaller the population is in a few years. Luckily humans noticed this trend and tried to respect the otter's natural habitats and the otter population started to go back up dramatically.

Adaptation- Adaptation is the ability as a species to change over millions of years to better suit their environment.

What helps an otter do what it needs to do? Well they first of all have to have strong muscular tales in order for them to be able to swim through water and dive under water. Next They need webbed feet so they can swim through water well. Finally they need to have a fatty fur coat so their bodies don't work to hard to heat the otter when it's in cold water.

Homeostasis- Homeostasis is a steady state of internal balance that helps your body work at maximum efficiency.

People may wonder why otters can live in bone chilling conditions while going in and out of frigid water and it won't even phase them. Well they unlike us have a very thick layer of fat under a very dense coat of fur insulating their bodies so that it doesn't get too hot throwing them out of homeostasis. Which could cause major long term damage to their organs.